Method and system for region-based monitoring of video assets

ABSTRACT

A method and system for monitoring video assets provided by a multimedia content distribution network (MCDN) includes an expert test monitoring platform (ETMP) configured to emulate MCDN client systems at a facility of an MCDN service provider. The ETMP may be used to test monitor MCDN performance by acquiring a baseband video signal and performing a test operation including at least one check point condition. The check point condition may be associated with a masked region of the video signal and may also involve a test of an audio channel. A plurality of test operations and/or check point conditions may be defined and executed on the baseband video signal, while the results of the test operation may be logged.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Disclosure

The present disclosure relates to baseband video monitoring, and inparticular to testing and monitoring of baseband video assets.

2. Description of the Related Art

Users of a multimedia content distribution network (MCDN) may beprovided a wide range of video assets to select from. A service provideroperating the MCDN may be faced with various quality control issuesrelated to the video assets and the performance of MCDN equipment. In aconventional MCDN architecture, feedback about MCDN performance may onlybe available via information gleaned from user support requests and/orcostly support visits to user locations.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of selected elements of an embodiment of anMCDN;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of selected elements of an embodiment of anexpert test monitoring platform (ETMP);

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of selected elements of an embodiment of amultimedia handling device (MHD);

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of selected elements of an embodiment of avideo asset;

FIG. 5 illustrates selected elements of an embodiment of an MCDN testmonitoring method;

FIG. 6 illustrates selected elements of an embodiment of an MCDN testmonitoring method; and

FIG. 7 is a block diagram of selected elements of an embodiment of anETMP configurator/executor.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENT(S)

In one aspect, a disclosed method for test monitoring an output channelof an MCDN includes acquiring, at a predetermined frame rate, a selectedbaseband video signal output by an MHD configured as a terminal deviceof the MCDN, selecting an image in a series of frame images, andapplying a predetermined image mask to the selected image. The series offrame images may be generated according to the frame rate. As a resultof applying the image mask, a masked portion of the selected image maybe isolated. The method may also include testing the masked portion fora given video check point condition, by, for example, comparing themasked portion to a predetermined image, an expected image, or a knownimage to determine the extent of similarity, and evaluating the extentof similarity against a predetermined threshold.

In certain embodiments, based on results of said testing the maskedportion, the method may further include executing at least one of: avideo pass script and a video fail script, and generating a video testlog of the results and of said executing. The MHD may be one of aplurality of units under test (UUT) at an ETMP facility. The method mayfurther include requesting, from an ETMP master controller, access tothe MHD as an active UUT, controlling power supplied to the active UUTby sending a first network command to a network-based power controller,and selecting the baseband video signal by sending a second networkcommand to generate a remote control signal instructing the active UUTto output an MCDN channel. The baseband video signal may be routed fromthe MHD using a video matrix switch coupled to the plurality of UUTs.The method may still further include sending a network command to thevideo matrix switch to route the baseband video signal from the activeUUT.

In particular embodiments, the method may also include acquiring, at apredetermined sampling rate, at least one audio track generated by theMHD and corresponding to the selected baseband video signal, and testinga portion of the audio data for a given audio check point condition.Audio data according to the sampling rate may be generated during saidacquiring. Based on results of said testing the portion of the audiodata, the method may also include executing at least one of: an audiopass script and an audio fail script. The method may still furtherinclude generating an audio test log of the results and of saidexecuting.

In a further aspect, a disclosed computerized test system for testmonitoring output channels from an MCDN includes a processor coupled tofirst memory media and a network adapter accessible to the processor.The first memory media may include processor executable instructions toretrieve an ETMP test program from an ETMP database. The ETMP mayinclude a plurality of MHDs configured to output MCDN program channels,and an ETMP network coupled to the network adapter and the ETMPdatabase. The processor executable instructions may further beexecutable to execute the ETMP test program, and store recorded resultsof the executed ETMP test program in the ETMP database. The ETMP testprogram may include instructions executable by the processor to: selectone of the plurality of MHDs, acquire, at a predetermined frame rate, aselected baseband video signal output by the selected MHD, select animage in a series of frame images, apply a predetermined image mask tothe selected image, test a masked portion for a given video check pointcondition, and record the results of said instructions to test themasked portion. The series of frame images may be generated according tothe frame rate. The masked portion of the selected image may be isolatedwhen the image mask is applied.

In particular embodiments, the ETMP test program may further includeinstructions executable by a processor to acquire, at a predeterminedsampling rate, at least one audio track generated by the selected MHDand corresponding to the selected baseband video signal, test a portionof the audio data for a given audio check point condition, and recordthe results of said instructions to test the portion of the audio data.Audio data according to the sampling rate may be generated when the atleast one audio track is acquired. The first memory media may furtherinclude processor executable instructions to request, via a networkcommand sent to an ETMP master controller, access to the selected MHD,wherein the ETMP master controller is coupled to the ETMP network.

In certain embodiments, the first memory media further include processorexecutable instructions to receive user input to generate a new ETMPtest program, the user input including at least one of: first inputassociated with the frame rate, second input associated with an MCDNchannel for selecting the baseband video signal, third input associatedwith the image mask, fourth input associated with a duration of theseries of frame images, fifth input associated with the video checkpoint condition, and sixth input associated with the results of saidinstructions to test the masked portion. The fifth input may specify apresence or an absence of a dynamic series of frame images. The fifthinput may also specify a presence or an absence of a static series offrame images. The user input may further include any one or more of:seventh input associated with the predetermined sampling rate, eighthinput associated with a number of acquired audio track(s), ninth inputassociated with a duration of the portion of the audio data, tenth inputassociated with the audio check point condition, and eleventh inputassociated with the results of said instructions to test the portion ofthe audio data. The tenth input may specify at least one threshold forthe audio data.

In yet another aspect, an ETMP for test monitoring output channels froman MCDN includes a plurality of MHDs configured as selectable UUTs andconfigured to output MCDN channels, and at least one ETMP executorconfigured to execute predetermined ETMP test programs. The ETMP testprograms may include instructions executable to select one of theplurality of MHDs as a current UUT, acquire, at a predetermined framerate, a selected baseband video signal output by the current UUT, selectan image in a series of frame images, apply a predetermined image maskto the selected image, test a masked portion for a given video checkpoint condition, and record the results of said instructions to test themasked portion. The series of frame images may be generated according tothe frame rate. The masked portion of the selected image may be isolatedwhen the image mask is applied.

In some embodiments, the ETMP may further include at least one ETMPconfigurator configured to generate new ETMP test programs, an ETMPdatabase for storing ETMP test programs and test results, and an ETMPnetwork configured to connect the MHDs, the ETMP executor(s), the ETMPconfigurator(s), and the ETMP database. The ETMP may further include afirst means coupled to the ETMP network for controlling power suppliedto the selected UUT in response to receiving a network power controlcommand associated with the ETMP test program. The ETMP may also includea second means coupled to the ETMP network for selecting an MCDN channelfor the baseband video signal in response to receiving a channelselection command associated with the ETMP test program. The ETMP maystill further include a third means for routing a plurality of basebandvideo signals from the plurality of MHDs to the at least one ETMPexecutor. The third means may be a video matrix switch coupled to theETMP network and configured to selectively switch the plurality ofbaseband signals to any one or more of a plurality of video grabberinputs associated with the at least one ETMP executor, in response toreceiving a network video switch command associated with the ETMP testprogram.

In given embodiments, the ETMP may further include an ETMP mastercontroller coupled to the ETMP network. The ETMP master controller maybe configured to receive a control request from an ETMP executor toaccess a selected UUT, in response to receiving the control request, andassign control of the selected UUT to the ETMP executor. The ETMPexecutor may be permitted to access the selected UUT when control isassigned. When the ETMP executor is assigned the selected UUT, the ETMPmaster controller may be configured to deny subsequent control requestsfor the assigned UUT. When the ETMP executor is finished accessing theselected UUT, the ETMP master controller may be configured to releasethe assigned UUT.

In the following description, details are set forth by way of example tofacilitate discussion of the disclosed subject matter. It should beapparent to a person of ordinary skill in the field, however, that thedisclosed embodiments are exemplary and not exhaustive of all possibleembodiments.

Throughout this disclosure, a hyphenated form of a reference numeralrefers to a specific instance of an element and the un-hyphenated formof the reference numeral refers to the element generically orcollectively. Thus, for example, widget 12-1 refers to an instance of awidget class, which may be referred to collectively as widgets 12 andany one of which may be referred to generically as a widget 12.

Turning now to the drawings, FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustratingselected elements of an embodiment of an MCDN 100. Although multimediacontent is not limited to TV, video on demand (VOD), or pay-per-view(PPV) programs, the depicted embodiments of MCDN 100 and itscapabilities are primarily described herein with reference to thesetypes of multimedia content, which are interchangeably referred toherein as “multimedia content”, “multimedia content programs”,“multimedia programs” or, simply, “programs.”

The elements of MCDN 100 illustrated in FIG. 1 depict networkembodiments with functionality for delivering multimedia content to aset of one or more subscribers. It is noted that different embodimentsof MCDN 100 may include additional elements or systems (not shown inFIG. 1 for clarity) as desired for additional functionality, such asdata processing systems for billing, content management, customersupport, operational support, or other business applications.

As depicted in FIG. 1, MCDN 100 includes one or more clients 120 and aservice provider 121. Each client 120 may represent a differentsubscriber of MCDN 100. In FIG. 1, a plurality of n clients 120 isdepicted as client 120-1, client 120-2 to client 120-n, where n may be alarge number. Service provider 121 as depicted in FIG. 1 encompassesresources to acquire, process, and deliver programs to clients 120 viaaccess network 130. Such elements in FIG. 1 of service provider 121include content acquisition resources 180 connected to switching network140 via backbone network 175, as well as application server 150,database server 190, and content delivery server 160, also shownconnected to switching network 140.

Access network 130 demarcates clients 120 and service provider 121, andprovides at least one connection path between clients 120 and serviceprovider 121. In some embodiments, access network 130 is an Internetprotocol (IP) compliant network. In some embodiments, access network 130is, at least in part, a coaxial cable network. It is noted that in someembodiments of MCDN 100, access network 130 is owned and/or operated byservice provider 121. In other embodiments, a third party may own and/oroperate at least a portion of access network 130.

In IP-compliant embodiments of access network 130, access network 130may include a physical layer of unshielded twisted pair cables, fiberoptic cables, or a combination thereof. MCDN 100 may include digitalconnections between clients 120 and a node (see also FIG. 4) in accessnetwork 130 while fiber, cable or another broadband medium connectsservice provider resources to the node. In other embodiments, thebroadband cable may extend all the way to clients 120. In certainembodiments, fiber optic cables may be provided from the node in accessnetwork 130 to each individual client 120. The connections betweenaccess network 130 and clients 120 may include digital subscriber line(DSL) connections. In particular embodiments, the connections may beDSL-compliant twisted pair or another type of galvanic loop (see alsoFIG. 4).

As depicted in FIG. 1, switching network 140 provides connectivity forservice provider 121, and may be housed in a central office or otherfacility of service provider 121. Switching network 140 may providefirewall and routing functions to demarcate access network 130 from theresources of service provider 121. In embodiments that employDSL-compliant connections, switching network 140 and/or access network130 may include elements of a DSL access multiplexer (DSLAM) thatmultiplexes many subscriber DSLs to backbone network 175 (see also FIG.4).

In FIG. 1, backbone network 175 represents a private network including,as an example, a fiber based network to accommodate high data transferrates. Content acquisition resources 180 as depicted in FIG. 1 encompassthe acquisition of various types of content including broadcast content,other “live” content including national content feeds, and VOD content.

Thus, the content provided by service provider 121 encompassesmultimedia content that is scheduled in advance for viewing by clients120 via access network 130. Such multimedia content, also referred toherein as “scheduled programming,” may be selected using an electronicprogramming guide (EPG), such as EPG 316 described below with respect toFIG. 3. Accordingly, a user of MCDN 100 may be able to browse scheduledprogramming well in advance of the broadcast date and time. Somescheduled programs may be “regularly” scheduled programs, which recur atregular intervals or at the same periodic date and time (i.e., daily,weekly, monthly, etc.). Programs which are broadcast at short notice orinterrupt scheduled programs are referred to herein as “unscheduledprogramming.”

Acquired content is provided to content delivery server 160 via backbonenetwork 175 and switching network 140. Content may be delivered fromcontent delivery server 160 to clients 120 via switching network 140 andaccess network 130. Content may be compressed, encrypted, modulated,demodulated, and otherwise encoded or processed at content acquisitionresources 180, content delivery server 160, or both. Although FIG. 1depicts a single element encompassing acquisition of all content,different types of content may be acquired via different types ofacquisition resources. Similarly, although FIG. 1 depicts a singlecontent delivery server 160, different types of content may be deliveredby different servers. Moreover, embodiments of MCDN 100 may includecontent acquisition resources in regional offices that are connected toswitching network 140.

Although service provider 121 is depicted in FIG. 1 as having switchingnetwork 140 to which content acquisition resources 180, content deliveryserver 160, and application server 150 are connected, other embodimentsmay employ different switching networks for each of these functionalcomponents and may include additional functional components (notdepicted in FIG. 1) including, for example, operational subsystemsupport (OSS) resources.

FIG. 1 also illustrates application server 150 connected to switchingnetwork 140. As suggested by its name, application server 150 may hostor otherwise implement one or more applications for MCDN 100.Application server 150 may be any data processing system with associatedsoftware that provides applications for clients or users. Applicationserver 150 may provide services including multimedia content services,e.g., EPGs, digital video recording (DVR) services, VOD programs, PPVprograms, IPTV portals, digital rights management (DRM) servers,navigation/middleware servers, conditional access systems (CAS), andremote diagnostics, as examples.

Applications provided by application server 150 may be downloaded andhosted on other network resources including, for example, contentdelivery server 160, switching network 140, and/or on clients 120.Application server 150 is configured with a processor and storage media(not shown in FIG. 1) and is enabled to execute processor instructions,such as those included within a software application. As depicted inFIG. 1, application server 150 may be configured to include variousapplications (not shown in FIG. 1) that may provide functionality toclients 120.

Further depicted in FIG. 1 is database server 190, which provideshardware and software resources for data warehousing. Database server190 may communicate with other elements of the resources of serviceprovider 121, such as application server 150 or content delivery server160, in order to store and provide access to large volumes of data,information, or multimedia content. In some embodiments, database server190 includes a data warehousing application, accessible via switchingnetwork 140, that can be used to record and access structured data, suchas program or channel metadata for clients 120. Database server 190 mayalso store device information, such as identifiers for client 120, modelidentifiers for remote control devices, identifiers for peripheraldevices, etc.

Also shown in FIG. 1 is ETMP 170, which represents a facility for testmonitoring of output channels of MCDN 100. ETMP 170 may includeinfrastructure for emulating functionality associated with clients 120for the purpose of capturing and analyzing output video and/or audiosignals in order to test the performance and quality of video assetsprovided by MCDN 100 (see also FIG. 2).

It is noted that clients 120 may include network appliances collectivelyreferred to herein as customer premises equipment (CPE). In variousembodiments, CPE may include the following devices: a gateway (GW), anMHD (see also FIG. 3), and a display device (not shown in FIG. 1). Anycombination of the GW, the MHD, and the display device may be integratedinto a single physical device. Thus, for example, CPE might include asingle physical device that integrates the GW, MHD, and a displaydevice. As another example, an MHD may be integrated into a displaydevice, while the GW may be housed within a physically separate device.

The GW may provide connectivity for client 120 to access network 130.The GW may provide an interface and conversion function between accessnetwork 130 and a client-side local area network (LAN). The GW mayinclude elements of a conventional DSL or cable modem. In someembodiments, the GW may further include routing functionality forrouting multimedia content, conventional data content, or a combinationof both in compliance with IP or another network layer protocol. In someembodiments, the LAN may encompass or represent an IEEE 802.3 (Ethernet)LAN, an IEEE 802.11-type (WiFi) LAN, or a combination thereof. The GWmay still further include WiFi or another type of wireless access pointto extend the LAN to wireless-capable devices in proximity to the GW.The GW may also provide a firewall (not depicted) between clients 120and access network 130.

Clients 120 may further include a display device or, more simply, adisplay (not shown in FIG. 1). The display may be implemented as a TV, aliquid crystal display screen, a computer monitor, or the like. Thedisplay 126 may comply with a display standard for computer monitorsand/or television displays. Standards for computer monitors includeanalog standards such as video graphics array (VGA), extended graphicsarray (XGA), etc., or digital standards such as digital visual interface(DVI) and high definition multimedia interface (HDMI), among others. Atelevision display may comply with standards such as National TelevisionSystem Committee (NTSC), Phase Alternating Line (PAL), or anothersuitable standard. The display may include one or more integratedspeakers to play audio content.

Clients 120 may further include respective remote control (not shown inFIG. 1), which is configured to control the operation of MHD by means ofa user interface, such as EPG 316 (see FIG. 3) that may be displayed bythe display. The remote control of client 120 may be operable tocommunicate requests or commands wirelessly to the MHD using infrared(IR) or radio frequency (RF) signals. MHDs may also receive requests orcommands via buttons located on side panels of MHDs.

The MHD may be enabled and configured to process incoming multimediasignals to produce audio and visual signals suitable for delivery to thedisplay and any optional external speakers. Incoming multimedia signalsreceived by the MHD may be compressed and/or encrypted, digital oranalog, packetized for delivery over packet-switched embodiments ofaccess network 130 or modulated for delivery over cable-based accessnetworks. In some embodiments, the MHD may be implemented as astand-alone set top box suitable for use in a co-axial or IP-based MCDN.

Referring now to FIG. 2, a block diagram illustrating selected elementsof an embodiment of ETMP 170 is presented. In FIG. 2, ETMP network 240is shown providing communication links between various elements in ETMP170, as will now be described in detail. It is noted that ETMP network240 may also link ETMP 170 to switching network 140 (not shown in FIG.2, see FIG. 1). Also shown in FIG. 2 are UUTs 220, which may representsimilar elements as CPE associated with clients 120, as describedpreviously. In FIG. 1, UUT 220-1 and 220-2 are shown as two exemplaryinstances for clarity, while it will be understood that ETMP 170 mayinclude different numbers of UUT 220 in various embodiments. UUT 220 mayrepresent an embodiment of client 120 that is implemented in ETMP 170for the purposes of testing and analyzing output channels of MCDN 100.Accordingly, UUT 220 may provide similar functionality as client 120,but may omit certain elements that are not relevant for testing purposes(see also FIG. 3). For example, UUT 220 may not include a display. InFIG. 2, UUT 220-1 may include MHD 225-1 and GW 223-1, as describedpreviously (see also FIG. 3), while UUT 220-2 may include MHD 225-2 andGW 223-2.

As depicted in FIG. 2, network-based remote control 228 may represent ameans to generate remote control signals for reception by MHD 225.Network-based remote control 228 may be configured to receive networkcommands that are addressed to a specific remote control port (not shownin FIG. 2) associated with a particular MHD 225, such as MHD 225-1. Inthis manner, network-based remote control 228 may provide functionalityto emulate a remote control operated by a user of client 120 (see FIG.1). Network commands sent to network-based remote control 228 mayoriginate from a test operator of ETMP 170 or from an ETMP test programthat is configured to execute in an automated manner.

Also shown in FIG. 2, network-based power control 230 may represent ameans to control (i.e., switch) power to UUT 220, including to MHD 225,GW 223, and/or other elements. Network-based power control 230 may beconfigured to receive network commands that are addressed to a specificpower circuit associated with a particular UUT 220. In this manner,network-based power control 230 may provide programmable switchingcapability to power down and power up UUT 220 and associated elements.Network commands sent to network-based power control 230 may originatefrom a test operator of ETMP 170 or from an ETMP test program, as willbe described in detail below.

On the operational side of ETMP 170 in FIG. 2 are ETMPconfigurators/executors 260 and ETMP executors 270. A “configurator”refers to a module that allows an operator (not shown in FIG. 2) toperform individual test operations, generate test sequences, obtain testresults, and otherwise manually operate a test facility. An ETMPconfigurator is therefore specific to ETMP 170. An “executor” refers toa module that is configured to execute previously stored test sequences,also referred to as test programs, jobs, batch files, scripts, etc.,comprised of individual test operations or test instructions. An ETMPexecutor is specific to ETMP 170. Both ETMP configurators/executors 260represent configurator modules that are executable on a computing devicecoupled to ETMP 170, which also may include executor functionality. ETMPexecutors 270 represent executor modules that do not includeconfigurator functionality. ETMP 170 may include ETMPconfigurators/executors 260-1, 260-2 and so on, up to an arbitraryp-number of ETMP configurators/executors 260-p. ETMP 170 may includeETMP executors 270-1, 270-2 and so on, up to an arbitrary m-number ofETMP executors 270-m.

Additionally, in FIG. 2, video matrix switch 250 is shown providingconnectivity between MHDs 225 and ETMP configurators/executors 260 andETMP executors 270. Video matrix switch 250 may receive network commandsvia link 252 to ETMP network 240. Video matrix switch 250 may couple tooutput baseband video signals from MHD 225 via links 254. Specifically,video matrix switch 250 may receive an output signal from MHD 225-1 vialink 254-1 and from MHD 225-2 via link 254-2. Furthermore, video matrixswitch 250 may be coupled to inputs of ETMP configurators/executors 260via link 256-1 and to inputs of ETMP executors 270 via link 256-2. It isnoted that links 256 may represent multiple connections that form oneedge of a switching matrix, while links 254 represent another edge ofthe switching matrix.

Also shown in FIG. 2 is ETMP master controller 232, which represents afunctional module configured to manage access to resources of ETMP 170.ETMP master controller 232 may be configured to receive control requestsfor access to ETMP resources (such as UUTs 220 and associated elementsin ETMP 170) from ETMP configurators or executors. For example, ETMPexecutor 270-1 may send a control request for access to UUT 220-2 fromETMP master controller 232, which may then grant the control request andassign control to ETMP executor 270-1. Subsequent requests for access toUUT 220-2 may then be denied by ETMP master controller 232, so long asETMP executor 270-1 is assigned control of UUT 220-2. In certainembodiments, ETMP master controller 232 may take a priority of an ETMPtest program into consideration when granting control requests to accessETMP resources and may terminate a currently assigned controlrelationship in favor of a higher priority one. In one embodiment, ascheduled ETMP test program may be assigned to ETMP executor 270-2 whena scheduled start time approaches the current time. The scheduled ETMPtest program may be designated for UUT 220-2, which may be assigned forcontrol by ETMP configurator/executor 260-1. In such an instance, ETMPmaster controller 232 may be configured to reassign control of UUT 220-2to ETMP executor 270-2 and terminate the assignment of ETMPconfigurator/executor 260-1. A user of ETMP configurator/executor 260-1may be given a warning by ETMP master controller 232 that a scheduledtest is about to begin on UUT 220-2 and that a presently active testsession will soon be terminated.

Finally, in FIG. 2, ETMP database 234 may represent a repository fordata and information associated with ETMP 170. For example, ETMPdatabase 234 may store configuration information representing ETMPresources, including network addresses and connection information forUUTs 220, video matrix switch 250, ETMP configurators/executors 260,ETMP executors 270, network-based remote control 228 and network-basedpower control 230. In various embodiments, ETMP master controller 232may query ETMP database 234 for such information when managing controlrequests for ETMP resources. ETMP database 234 may further store ETMPtest programs, as well as results of executed ETMP test programs andtest operations. It is noted that various other elements in ETMP 170 maybe configured to access ETMP database 234, as desired.

In operation of ETMP 170, a user may access ETMP configurator/executor260-1 to perform test operations on UUT 220-1 (see also ETMP studioapplication 720 in FIG. 7). The user may first send a control request toETMP master controller 232 for access to UUT 220-1. After the controlrequest has been approved and access to UUT 220-1 has been assigned toETMP configurator/executor 260-1, ETMP configurator/executor 260-1 mayquery ETMP database 234 for network addresses and configurationinformation associated with UUT 220-1. Using a queried network address,the user may send a network command using ETMP configurator/executor260-1 to network-based power control 230 to power up UUT 220-1. ETMPconfigurator/executor 260-1 may also be used to send a network commandto network-based remote control 228 to select a particular video channelfor output by UUT 220-1 (i.e., MHD 225-1). ETMP configurator/executor260-1 may also be used to send a network command to video matrix switch250 to switch link 254-1 (an output from MHD 225-1) to an input of ETMPconfigurator/executor 260-1 via link 256-1. The input to ETMPconfigurator/executor 260-1 may be at signal grabber 326 (see FIGS. 3and 7), which may be configured to acquire a video and/or audio portionof the selected video channel that has been routed via video matrixswitch 250. The acquired audio/video may be used to perform a testoperation, which may generate a test result, as will be described indetail below. The user may also activate recording of test operationsperformed using ETMP configurator/executor 260-1. The recorded testoperations may be stored in ETMP database 234 as an ETMP test program,that may be retrieved at a later time and executed using ETMP executor270.

In given embodiments, the test operation may involve a test of aparticular region of the video output. The user may specify an imagemask to determine the particular region associated with the testoperation, as well as a test criteria for the test operation. When theimage mask is applied, a masked area of a video image is isolated andused for the test operation. The test criteria may involve testing for adynamic or a static image, whereby a test may be a negative or apositive test. Such a video test operation may also be referred to as a“video check point.” The test operation may also involve a test of anaudio component of the selected video channel. For example, acquiredaudio data may be compared to a threshold value to generate an audiotest result. Such an audio test operation may be referred to as an“audio check point.”

It is noted that multiple video check points and/or audio check pointsfor a given MCDN channel may be configured by ETMP configurator/executor260. After an audio/video check point is performed, a result of thecheck point may be logged at ETMP database 234. Depending on the resultof the check point, a set of predetermined tasks may be performed whenthe check point fails or when the check point passes. A video checkpoint may further include various additional parameters, such as any oneor more of: a frame rate for the acquisition of the video images; aselection of an MCDN channel; a duration or other value indicating aseries of images; values for defining the image mask; a type of videocheck point test or a video check point condition; and a destinationaddress for the video check point results. It is noted that the imagemask may be of various sizes, positions and shapes, including polygonsand ellipses. The value indicating the series of images may includeinput specifying a series of dynamic or static images. An audio checkpoint may further include various additional parameters, such as any oneor more of: a sampling rate; a number of acquired audio tracks; aduration or other value indicating a portion of the audio data; a typeof audio check point test or an audio check point condition; and adestination address (and/or other information) associated with the audiocheck point results. The audio check point condition may further specifyat least one threshold for the audio data.

As examples, a static image video check point may include processinglive incoming video frames and comparing one or more of the incomingframes against a known targeted “Golden” region image to see if there isa match. In one case, the threshold for recognizing a match may be auser specified value from 0 (no similarity) to 1 (perfect match). Someimplementations may employ a threshold value of 0.95 for detecting amatch. A dynamic image video check point may refer to a process in whichlive incoming frames are processed to determine if the video is“flowing” or “freezing” by comparing a current frame to the next frameover a user specified duration of time. In one case, the check point mayinclude comparing the current frame to the next frame to determine if atest condition has been met. For instance, to check for video freeze,the user may specify a threshold also from 0 (no match) to 1 (perfectmatch) from one frame to the next. This threshold may then be used tocompare sequentially adjacent frames over a user specified duration,e.g., 10 seconds, to see if the images are the same. Using, as anexample, a threshold of 0.999, a test duration of approximately 10seconds, and a frame rate of 2 fps, there would have to be at least 20consecutive frames (2 fps*10) that are substantially identical(threshold greater than or equal to 0.999) before a freeze is indicated.For an audio detection check point, similar principles would apply. Inthe case of audio, left and right audio decibel values may be monitoredfor each video frame. The user in this case may specify audio decibelthresholds for the left and right audio levels for a specified period oftime to identify valid audio or the lack of it, i.e., audio cutoff or noaudio. For example, to detect an audio cutoff, one embodiment of anaudio check point test might specify left and right audio thresholdvalues of −60 dB. If the left and right audio monitored values exceedthe threshold for a specified duration, no audio cutoff is indicated.Other embodiments and implementations may employ audio and video checkpoints using different criteria including different threshold values,different durations, and so forth.

Referring now to FIG. 3, a block diagram illustrating selected elementsof an embodiment of UUT 220, including further details of MHD 225, ispresented. In FIG. 3, MHD 225 is shown as a functional component of UUT220 along with GW 223, which is shown receiving multimedia content 360from switching network 140. It is noted that UUT 220 may representfunctionality similar to that provided to clients 120 and, inparticular, may receive substantially the same multimedia content 360,as received by clients 120 (see FIG. 1). In this manner, UUT 220 mayserve as a realistic and accurate representation of clients 120 withinETMP 170 for test monitoring purposes, as described herein.

In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 3, MHD 225 includes processor 301coupled via shared bus 302 to storage media, collectively identified asmemory media 310. MHD 225, as depicted in FIG. 3, further includesnetwork adapter 320 that interfaces MHD 225 to switching network 140 viaGW 223 and through which MHD 225 receives multimedia content 360. GW 223is shown providing a bridge to switching network 140, and receivingmultimedia content 360 from switching network 140.

In embodiments suitable for use in IP-based content delivery networks,MHD 225, as depicted in FIG. 3, may include transport unit 330 thatassembles the payloads from a sequence or set of network packets into astream of multimedia content. In coaxial-based access networks, contentmay be delivered as a stream that is not packet-based and it may not benecessary in these embodiments to include transport unit 330. In aco-axial implementation, however, other tuning resources (not explicitlydepicted in FIG. 3) may be used to “filter” desired content from othercontent that is delivered over the coaxial medium simultaneously andthese tuners may be provided in MHD 225. The stream of multimediacontent received by transport unit 330 may include audio information andvideo information and transport unit 330 may parse or segregate the twoto generate video stream 332 and audio stream 334 as shown.

Video and audio streams 332 and 334, as output from transport unit 330,may include audio or video information that is compressed, encrypted, orboth. A decoder unit 340 is shown as receiving video and audio streams332 and 334 and generating native format video and audio streams 342 and344. Decoder 340 may employ any of various widely distributed videodecoding algorithms including any of the Motion Pictures Expert Group(MPEG) standards, or Windows Media Video (WMV) standards including WMV9, which has been standardized as Video Codec-1 (VC-1) by the Society ofMotion Picture and Television Engineers. Similarly decoder 340 mayemploy any of various audio decoding algorithms including Dolby®Digital, Digital Theatre System (DTS) Coherent Acoustics, and WindowsMedia Audio (WMA).

The native format video and audio streams 342 and 344 as shown in FIG. 3may be processed by encoders/digital-to-analog converters(encoders/DACs) 350 and 370 respectively to produce video and audiosignals 352 and 354 in a format compliant with a display, as mentionedpreviously. Since MHD 225 is configured for test monitoring within ETMP170, a display may be omitted from UUT 220. Video and audio signals 352and 354, which may be referred in aggregate to as the “baseband videosignal,” may represent analog signals, digital signals, or a combinationthereof, in different embodiments. In FIG. 3, video and audio signals352 and 354 are shown being ultimately routed to signal grabber 326 (seealso FIG. 7), which may be associated with ETMP configurator/executor260 and/or ETMP executor 270. The routing of video and audio signals 352and 354 may be accomplished using video matrix switch 250 (see FIG. 2),as described above.

Memory media 310 encompasses persistent and volatile media, fixed andremovable media, and magnetic and semiconductor media. Memory media 310is operable to store instructions, data, or both. Memory media 310 asshown may include sets or sequences of instructions and/or data, namely,an operating system 312, EPG 316, and MCDN application 318. Operatingsystem 312 may be a UNIX or UNIX-like operating system, a Windows®family operating system, or another suitable operating system. In someembodiments, memory media 310 is configured to store and executeinstructions provided as services to UUT 220 by application server 150,as mentioned previously. For example, MCDN application 318 may representa combination of various sources of multimedia content that have beencombined and generated as an output channel by application server 150(see also FIG. 4).

EPG 316 represents a guide to the multimedia content provided to UUT 220via MCDN 100, and may be output as an element of the user interface. Theuser interface may include a plurality of menu items arranged accordingto one or more menu layouts, which enable operation of MHD 225 using aremote control.

Local transceiver 308 represents an interface of MHD 225 forcommunicating with external devices, such as a remote control ornetwork-based remote control 228 (see FIG. 2). Local transceiver 308 mayprovide a mechanical interface for coupling to an external device, suchas a plug, socket, or other proximal adapter. In some cases, localtransceiver 308 is a wireless transceiver, configured to send andreceive IR or RF or other signals. In some implementations localtransceiver 308 receives IR or RF signals, but does not transmit IR orRF signals, i.e., local transceiver 308 may be a receiver. Localtransceiver 308 may be accessed by a remote control module (not shown inFIG. 3) for providing remote control functionality. In some embodiments,local transceiver 308 may include WiFi functionality.

Turning now to FIG. 4, a block diagram of selected elements of anembodiment of output video channel 400, representing a video assetassociated with MCDN 100, is depicted. Output video channel 400 may begenerated by MHD 225 in response to receiving a channel selectioncommand, for example, via local transceiver 308 (see FIG. 3). Outputvideo channel 400 may include an image portion and a correspondinglysynchronized audio portion (not shown in FIG. 4). Output video channel400 may correspond to a multiview output generated by MCDN application318 (see FIG. 3). In the example implementation shown in FIG. 4, outputvideo channel 400 may comprise various video elements, including amultiview title bar, a main video, and several picture-in-picture (PiP)videos. Other video and image elements may be implemented in variousembodiments of MCDN application 318 and/or output video channel 400.

Output video channel 400 may be associated with one or more video checkpoints, as described above with respect to FIG. 2. A video check pointmay be associated with image mask 410, which isolates a portion ofoutput video channel 400. As shown in FIG. 4, image mask 410-1 may beused to isolate a multiview title bar, or other text section of outputvideo channel 400. Image mask 410-2 may be used to isolate a main videoportion of output video channel 400, which may also be associated withthe audio portion of output video channel 400. Image mask 410-3 may beused to isolate a first PiP portion of output video channel 400. Imagemask 410-4 may be used to isolate a second PiP portion of output videochannel 400. Image mask 410-5 may be used to isolate a third PiP portionof output video channel 400. Each image mask 410 may accordingly beassociated with a video check point. For example, a first video checkpoint may specify image mask 410-1 and a static image corresponding tothe multiview title bar. A second video check point may specify imagemask 410-2 and a dynamic image corresponding to the main video.

Turning now to FIG. 5, selected elements of an embodiment of a method500 for test monitoring of MCDN output channels are illustrated in flowchart form. In one embodiment, method 500 may be performed by ETMP 170(see FIGS. 1, 2). In particular, method 500 may represent an example ofan audio/video check point, as described above. It is noted that certainoperations described in method 500 may be optional or may be rearrangedin different embodiments.

In method 500, a video signal is acquired as images at a predeterminedframe rate (operation 502). The images may be acquired as a series ofimages. An audio signal may be acquired as a left and a right audiochannel in synchronization with the acquired images (operation 504). Theaudio signal and the video signal may represent a baseband video signalgenerated by an MHD of an MCDN in response to a channel selection at theMHD. A next image may be selected to begin test monitoring (operation506). A video check point may be applied to the selected image. An audiocheck point may use the selected image as a mark in time forsynchronizing desired audio data. A predetermined image mask may beapplied to the selected image (operation 508). It is noted that in caseof an audio check point, operation 508 may be omitted in certainembodiments. The masked area (or an audio channel) may be tested for anext check point condition (operation 510). A video check point mayinvolve testing the masked area for a video criteria, such as a dynamicor a static image. An audio check point may involve testing for an audiocriteria, such as a comparison with an audio threshold.

Next in method 500, a determination may be made with regard to theresult of the check point (operation 512). The determination may be madein view of the check point condition in operation 510. When the checkpoint result in operation 512 is FAIL, one or more fail tasks may be run(operation 514). When the check point in operation 512 result is PASS,one or more pass tasks may be run (operation 516). The fail tasks andthe pass tasks may be defined in advance and associated with the checkpoint condition in operation 510. Then, the check point result may belogged (operation 518). The check point result may include a video testlog and/or an audio test log. The check point result may be logged inETMP database 234 (see FIG. 2). Next a decision may be made whetheradditional check points remain (operation 520). When the result inoperation 520 is YES, then method 500 may loop back to operation 508,from where additional check points may be applied to the selected image.When the result of operation 520 is NO, then a further decision may bemade whether additional images are to be selected (operation 522). Whenthe result of operation 522 is YES, then method 500 may loop back tooperation 506, from where a next image may be selected. When the resultof operation 522 is NO, then completion of test monitoring may be logged(operation 524).

Turning now to FIG. 6, selected elements of an embodiment of method 600for test monitoring are illustrated in flow chart form. In oneembodiment, method 600 may be performed by ETMP master controller 232(see FIG. 2) in conjunction with ETMP 170 (see FIGS. 1, 2). It is notedthat certain operations described in method 600 may be optional or maybe rearranged in different embodiments.

A control request from an ETMP executor may be received to access aselected UUT (operation 602). In certain embodiments, the controlrequest may be received from an ETMP configurator. Control of theselected UUT may be assigned to the ETMP executor and the ETMP executoris allowed to access the selected UUT (operation 604). When the ETMPexecutor is assigned the selected UUT, subsequent control requests forthe assigned UUT may be denied (operation 606). When the ETMP executoris finished accessing the selected UUT, the selected UUT may be released(operation 608).

Referring now to FIG. 7, a block diagram illustrating selected elementsof an embodiment of ETMP configurator/executor 700 is presented. ETMPconfigurator/executor 700 may represent ETMP configurator/executor 260and/or ETMP executor 270 (see FIG. 2) in various embodiments. As shownin FIG. 2, multiple instances of ETMP configurator/executor 700 may beconfigured for use in conjunction with a given ETMP 170 facility. Theelements of ETMP configurator/executor 700 depicted in FIG. 7 may bephysically implemented as a single, self-contained device. In certainimplementations, ETMP configurator/executor 700 may alternatively beimplemented using a number of different devices that are physicallyseparated, but coupled together for centralized control. It is notedthat ETMP configurator/executor 700 may include additional components,such as a power supply and a cooling element, which have been omittedfrom FIG. 7 for clarity. As shown in FIG. 7, ETMP configurator/executor700 may operate in conjunction with ETMP 170 (see also FIGS. 1 and 3) toexecute the methods and operations described herein. In certainembodiments, ETMP configurator/executor 700 may represent a virtualizedcomputing environment, wherein certain elements depicted in FIG. 7 areshared or represent virtualized components.

In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 7, ETMP configurator/executor 700includes processor 701 coupled via shared bus 702 to storage mediacollectively identified as memory media 710. ETMP configurator/executor700, as depicted in FIG. 7, further includes network adapter 725 thatinterfaces ETMP configurator/executor 700 to a network (not shown inFIG. 7), such as ETMP network 240 (see FIG. 2). In embodiments suitablefor use with ETMP 170, ETMP configurator/executor 700, as depicted inFIG. 7, may include peripheral adapter 706, which provides connectivityfor the use of input device 708 and output device 709. Input device 708may represent a device for user input, such as a keyboard or a mouse, oreven a video camera. Output device 709 may represent a device forproviding signals or indications to a user, such as loudspeakers forgenerating audio signals.

ETMP configurator/executor 700 is shown in FIG. 7 including displayadapter 704 and further includes a display device or, more simply, adisplay 705. Display adapter 704 may interface shared bus 702, oranother bus, with an output port for one or more displays, such asdisplay 705. Display 705 may be implemented as a liquid crystal displayscreen, a computer monitor, a television or the like. Display 705 maycomply with a display standard for computer monitors and/or televisiondisplays. Standards for computer monitors include analog standards suchas VGA, XGA, etc., or digital standards such as DVI and HDMI, amongothers. A television display may comply with standards such as NTSC,PAL, or another suitable standard. Display 705 may include one or moreintegrated speakers to play audio content.

Memory media 710 encompasses persistent and volatile media, fixed andremovable media, and magnetic and semiconductor media. Memory media 710is operable to store instructions, data, or both. Memory media 710 asshown includes sets or sequences of instructions, namely, an operatingsystem 712, ETMP test program 714, frame images 716, audio data 718, andETMP studio application 720. Operating system 712 may be a UNIX orUNIX-like operating system, a Windows® family operating system, oranother suitable operating system. ETMP test program 714 may represent asequence of test operations, as described previously. ETMP test program714 may be generated using ETMP studio application 720, which mayprovide ETMP configurator functionality. ETMP test program 714 may alsobe executed using ETMP executor functionality. Frame images 716 mayrepresent image data stored when acquiring a baseband video signal usingsignal grabber 326. Audio data 718 may represent audio signals from anaudio portion of a baseband video signal acquired using signal grabber326.

To the maximum extent allowed by law, the scope of the presentdisclosure is to be determined by the broadest permissibleinterpretation of the following claims and their equivalents, and shallnot be restricted or limited to the specific embodiments described inthe foregoing detailed description.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for monitoring an output channel of amultimedia content distribution network (MCDN), comprising: acquiring,at a predetermined frame rate, a selected baseband video signal outputby a multimedia handling device (MHD) configured as a terminal device ofthe MCDN, wherein a series of frame images are generated according tothe frame rate; selecting an image in the series of frame images;applying a predetermined image mask to the selected image, wherein amasked portion of the selected image is isolated; and testing the maskedportion for a given video check point condition.
 2. The method of claim1, further comprising: based on results of said testing the maskedportion, executing a first script when the testing passes and executinga second script when the testing fails; and generating a video test logof the results and of said executing.
 3. The method of claim 1, whereinthe MHD is one of a plurality of units under test (UUT) at a expert testmonitor platform (ETMP) facility, and further comprising: requesting,from an ETMP master controller, access to the MHD as an active UUT;controlling power supplied to the active UUT by sending a first networkcommand to a network-based power controller; and selecting the basebandvideo signal by sending a second network command to generate a remotecontrol signal instructing the active UUT to output an MCDN channel. 4.The method of claim 3, wherein the baseband video signal is routed fromthe MHD using a video matrix switch coupled to the plurality of UUTs,and further comprising: sending a network command to the video matrixswitch to route the baseband video signal from the active UUT.
 5. Themethod of claim 1, further comprising: acquiring, at a predeterminedsampling rate, at least one audio track generated by the MHD andcorresponding to the selected baseband video signal, wherein audio dataaccording to the sampling rate are generated; and testing a portion ofthe audio data for a given audio check point condition.
 6. The method ofclaim 5, further comprising: based on results of said testing theportion of the audio data, executing a first script when the testingpasses and the a second script when the testing fails; and generating anaudio test log of the results and of said executing.
 7. A computerizedtest system for monitoring output channels from a multimedia contentdistribution network (MCDN), comprising: a processor coupled to firstmemory media; a network adapter accessible to the processor; and whereinthe first memory media include processor executable instructions to:retrieve an expert test monitor platform (ETMP) test program from anETMP database, wherein the ETMP includes: a plurality of multimediahandling devices (MHDs) configured to output MCDN program channels; andan ETMP network coupled to the network adapter and the ETMP database;execute the ETMP test program; store recorded results of the executedETMP test program in the ETMP database; and wherein the ETMP testprogram includes instructions executable by the processor to: select oneof the plurality of MHDs; acquire, at a predetermined frame rate, aselected baseband video signal output by the selected MHD, wherein aseries of frame images are generated according to the frame rate; selectan image in the series of frame images; apply a predetermined image maskto the selected image, wherein a masked portion of the selected image isisolated; test the masked portion for a given video check pointcondition; and record the results of said instructions to test themasked portion.
 8. The test system of claim 7, wherein the first memorymedia further include processor executable instructions to: request, viaa network command sent to an ETMP master controller, access to theselected MHD, wherein the ETMP master controller is coupled to the ETMPnetwork.
 9. The test system of claim 7, wherein the ETMP test programfurther includes instructions executable by processor to: acquire, at apredetermined sampling rate, at least one audio track generated by theselected MHD and corresponding to the selected baseband video signal,wherein audio data according to the sampling rate are generated; test aportion of the audio data for a given audio check point condition; andrecord the results of said instructions to test the portion of the audiodata.
 10. The test system of claim 9, wherein the first memory mediafurther include processor executable instructions to: receive user inputto generate a new ETMP test program, the user input including at leastone of: first input associated with the frame rate; second inputassociated with an MCDN channel for selecting the baseband video signal;third input associated with the image mask; fourth input associated witha duration of the series of frame images; fifth input associated withthe video check point condition; and sixth input associated with theresults of said instructions to test the masked portion.
 11. The testsystem of claim 10, wherein the fifth input specifies a presence or anabsence of a dynamic series of frame images.
 12. The test system ofclaim 10, wherein the fifth input specifies a presence or an absence ofa static series of frame images.
 13. The test system of claim 10,wherein the user input further includes at least one of: seventh inputassociated with the predetermined sampling rate; eighth input associatedwith a number of acquired audio track(s); ninth input associated with aduration of the portion of the audio data; tenth input associated withthe audio check point condition; and eleventh input associated with theresults of said instructions to test the portion of the audio data. 14.The test system of claim 13, wherein the tenth input specifies at leastone threshold for the audio data.
 15. An expert test monitoring platform(ETMP) for monitoring output channels from a multimedia contentdistribution network (MCDN), comprising: a plurality of multimediahandling devices (MHDs) configured as selectable units under test (UUTs)and configured to output MCDN channels; at least one ETMP executorconfigured to execute predetermined ETMP test programs; and wherein theETMP test programs include instructions executable to: select one of theplurality of MHDs as a current UUT; acquire, at a predetermined framerate, a selected baseband video signal output by the current UUT,wherein a series of frame images are generated according to the framerate; select an image in the series of frame images; apply apredetermined image mask to the selected image, wherein a masked portionof the selected image is isolated; test the masked portion for a givenvideo check point condition; and record the results of said instructionsto test the masked portion.
 16. The ETMP of claim 15, furthercomprising: at least one ETMP configurator configured to generate newETMP test programs; an ETMP database for storing ETMP test programs andtest results; and an ETMP network configured to connect the MHDs, theETMP executor(s), the ETMP configurator(s), and the ETMP database. 17.The ETMP of claim 15, further comprising: a first means coupled to theETMP network for controlling power supplied to the selected UUT inresponse to receiving a network power control command associated withthe ETMP test program; and a second means coupled to the ETMP networkfor selecting an MCDN channel for the baseband video signal in responseto receiving a channel selection command associated with the ETMP testprogram.
 18. The ETMP of claim 15, further comprising: a third means forrouting a plurality of baseband video signals from the plurality of MHDsto the at least one ETMP executor.
 19. The ETMP of claim 18, wherein thethird means is a video matrix switch coupled to the ETMP network andconfigured to selectively switch the plurality of baseband signals toany one or more of a plurality of video grabber inputs associated withthe at least one ETMP executor, in response to receiving a network videoswitch command associated with the ETMP test program.
 20. The ETMP ofclaim 15, further comprising: an ETMP master controller coupled to theETMP network and configured to: receive a control request from an ETMPexecutor to access a selected UUT; in response to receiving the controlrequest, assign control of the selected UUT to the ETMP executor,wherein the ETMP executor is permitted to access the selected UUT; whenthe ETMP executor is assigned the selected UUT, deny subsequent controlrequests for the assigned UUT; and when the ETMP executor is finishedaccessing the selected UUT, release the assigned UUT.